Yakima WATERS Project: Pond Ecosystem Health Selah, WA
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC Ballroom A
Start Date
17-5-2012
End Date
17-5-2012
Abstract
Wenas Creek runs through a large portion of Selah, Washington, providing hydration to an otherwise arid region. The use of water by humans returns water to the ecosystem with added nutrients, in some cases at levels detrimental to the environment. Riparian zones and ponds along Wenas Creek are the few places within the watershed where aquatic life is supported. Water mixing in conjunction with aquatic life processes cycle natural and anthropogenic nutrients through the ecosystem. The objective of this study was to assess pond ecosystem health by documenting living and non-living members. Data was collected at Wenas Creek and a nearby pond in fall, winter, and spring. Measurements of dissolved oxygen, conductivity, temperature, and nitrate were taken. Water quality was determined to be fairly good for most organisms with average dissolved oxygen being slightly low, at about 4.1 parts per million (ppm), and average conductivity being slightly high at roughly 538 micro-Siemens per centimeter. Crude measurements of nitrate concentrations using Hach kits suggest that levels were about 3 ppm. An inventory of invertebrates was taken. Species ranged from pollution tolerant to pollution sensitive. Particular attention was paid to gilled snails as they are an invertebrate species found in excellent quality water due to their high sensitivity to pollution. Amphibians which are known to be reliable ecological indicators were caught, described, and released. Several pacific tree frogs were found all of which appeared to be in good physical health except one found missing a limb. Algae were present in limited extent.
Recommended Citation
Holt, Renee; 6th Grade Science Club; Ranger, Ryan; and Gazis, Carey, "Yakima WATERS Project: Pond Ecosystem Health Selah, WA" (2012). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 65.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2012/posters/65
Poster Number
36
Additional Mentoring Department
Other
Yakima WATERS Project: Pond Ecosystem Health Selah, WA
SURC Ballroom A
Wenas Creek runs through a large portion of Selah, Washington, providing hydration to an otherwise arid region. The use of water by humans returns water to the ecosystem with added nutrients, in some cases at levels detrimental to the environment. Riparian zones and ponds along Wenas Creek are the few places within the watershed where aquatic life is supported. Water mixing in conjunction with aquatic life processes cycle natural and anthropogenic nutrients through the ecosystem. The objective of this study was to assess pond ecosystem health by documenting living and non-living members. Data was collected at Wenas Creek and a nearby pond in fall, winter, and spring. Measurements of dissolved oxygen, conductivity, temperature, and nitrate were taken. Water quality was determined to be fairly good for most organisms with average dissolved oxygen being slightly low, at about 4.1 parts per million (ppm), and average conductivity being slightly high at roughly 538 micro-Siemens per centimeter. Crude measurements of nitrate concentrations using Hach kits suggest that levels were about 3 ppm. An inventory of invertebrates was taken. Species ranged from pollution tolerant to pollution sensitive. Particular attention was paid to gilled snails as they are an invertebrate species found in excellent quality water due to their high sensitivity to pollution. Amphibians which are known to be reliable ecological indicators were caught, described, and released. Several pacific tree frogs were found all of which appeared to be in good physical health except one found missing a limb. Algae were present in limited extent.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Carey Gazis